Michael Jackson biopic delayed to October 2025

Los Angeles: The release of "Michael", the upcoming biopic on 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson, has been pushed by six months and will now hit the screens on October 3, 2025.

The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Equalizer" films, "Training Day"), was previously planned for a release on April 18, 2025.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate -- the studio behind the feature -- made the announcement on Tuesday.

"Michael" stars Jaafar Jackson, who is the nephew of the late pop superstar, in the title role.

Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo also round out the cast.

Fuqua is directing the film from a script by John Logan.

The project hails from producer Graham King, who earlier backed "Bohemian Rhapsody" which earned Rami Malek the Academy Award for best actor in a leading role. John Branca and John McClain are also credited as producers.

Footage from "Michael" was screened at CinemaCon in April, where King said the film will include 30 songs and have a lengthy runtime in order to do justice to Jackson's story.

Jackson, who has several hit tracks to his credit including "Beat It", "Thriller", "Black Or White", "Smooth Criminal", and "Billy Jean", died in 2009 at the age of 50.